Georgians are preparing for a major snow storm that could knock out power and shut down highways this weekend. 1-3 inches of snow is possible when an arctic cold mass moves through Georgia.
According to forecasters, “destructive” snow and ice threatens Northern Georgia, including the Metropolitan Atlanta area. Lighter snowfall is expected in Central and Southern Georgia.
Atlanta will see a mix of winter weather on Friday, including snow and ice, making the commute home treacherous.
Travel is a major concern in Georgia as southern cities don’t have snow removal equipment or enough trucks to salt the roads.
Temperatures are expected to dip into the 20s and 30s, meaning snow and ice will make roads slippery. Snow could weigh down power lines, causing widespread outages in the Atlanta area and the suburbs.
“This is extreme, even for this being the peak of winter,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Jackson.
Officials urge Georgians to prepare for power outages throughout the weekend. Residents should buy non-perishable food items such as water, packaged and canned food that can be stored at room temperature. Bread has a limited shelf life.
Small portable generators are must-have items during an emergency. Generators such as the Jackery Explorer 2000 have enough outlets to run a refrigerator, TV, a laptop computer and lights. It’s on sale for $620 on eBay.com and $849 at Walmart.
